November 8, 2020
3 Proven Ways to Dominate Your Fear of Rejection in Business
I’m going to make a confession here. It’s not easy to own up to, especially since I love to support women business owners. But sometimes hard truths can be helpful. So here it is: for many years I wrestled with a serious fear of rejection in business that almost made me give up and quit.
When I think about my success in business today, it’s hard to believe that I let this fear cripple me. But it did. It was a formidable foe.
Personally, feeling unwanted or unneeded is a soul-sucking, confidence-killing experience. When you’re in business, rejection by a potential customer or client can be just as painful.
Even after going through this myself (and figuring out how to put the fear of rejection in its place), I’ve seen this powerful force hold so many women back from growing their business.
Fear of rejection in business has likely happened to you, too.
What fear of rejection in business looks like
Any of these situations sound familiar…?
There’s a perfect event coming up where you can promote your business. You mark the date on your calendar, BUT on the day it’s taking place, you get anxious and back out.
You connect with someone who you know can benefit from your product or service. BUT, when you’re about to send the follow-up email or dial their phone number, you hesitate, afraid, and then decide against it.
You want to inform your clients or customers that you’ve decided to raise your prices because you know you’re creating more value for them. BUT, when you try to compose the email, you worry that you’ll lose business and you delete it.
Don’t beat yourself up. I’ve done it. You probably have, too. It’s bested all of us at one time or another.
Why rejection in business is so scary
Growing your business doesn’t just happen. It takes work and the courage to leave your comfort zone behind and face your fears.
That includes the inevitability that some potential customers or clients will refuse to buy what you have to offer.
On the other hand, there are customers or clients out there who need exactly what your business provides.
The trick is to not let the “no’s” erode your confidence and belief in your product or service.
Rejection is simply part of doing business.
When you reach out to enough people and hone your ability to better qualify potential customers or clients, you will begin to hear “yes.”
Trouble is, the “no’s” can hurt so much that you’ll do almost anything to avoid feeling that way.
When you don’t know how to manage rejection, that wound can cut deep. As a newbie business owner, you haven’t yet grown a thicker skin to fend off those attacks to your self-esteem.
Having been there and felt that, I’m here to tell you that you can learn to look at the risks and challenges of doing business differently and view rejection for what it really is: fuel that can light the fire of your motivation.
How to beat the fear of rejection in business
Remember I said I figured out how to put my fear of rejection in its place?
Here’s are three proven ways to dominate your fear of rejection:
- Embrace the fact that some potential clients and customers will reject your offer. Better yet, anticipate that “no” is the answer you’ll receive.
Get comfortable with the idea that “no” does not equal failure on your part or mean that something’s wrong with you. “No” today may not mean “no” next month or next year. Your prospect may just not be ready to buy now. What’s important is that you’re asking and refining and improving your pitch every time.
Take “no” in stride. It’s okay. Just move on to the next opportunity.
- Once you lock in this mindset, it’s time to start working it.
If you’re actively marketing your business, you’re going to experience a lot of rejection.
Toughen up and realize that everyone in business has had to deal with rejection. I guarantee that almost anyone who you view as successful worked hard for years first – and experienced your same fear of rejection in business.
“Overnight success” is a myth. You won’t be perfect out of the gate.
- Knowing rejection is inevitable, go big.
How would you approach marketing your business if you weren’t worried about rejection? When you get control of your fear and kick it to the curb, your courage muscle gets bigger – and with that, the possibilities that are open to you. “No” doesn’t frighten or stop you anymore.
When there is no desperation in your pitch, an interesting thing starts to happen. You start to hear “yes” more often.
Rejection is actually your ticket to success
Here’s a reality check…
Remember when you learned how to ride a bike? You fell. You probably got some scrapes and bruises. But then you made the decision to get back on. To figure it out. To keep trying. Once you got the hang of it, you loved the ride and forgot why you were afraid.
Fear in any form is uncomfortable. Fear of rejection in business is scary. And, when you are rejected, it’s painful. But, getting over it and moving forward is also part of the work you must do as an entrepreneur. The sooner you come to terms with this reality, the more you’ll grow and thrive as a business owner.
The fact is sometimes you’re a fit for the needs of your potential customer or client and sometimes you’re not. It’s just the way it is in business.
Rather than running from fear or (worse yet!) quitting, make the brave choice and keep moving forward.
Rejection is the path to business success.
Do you have questions about how you can succeed in your business and accelerate your journey toward reaching your goals? I invite you to learn more about From Startup to Success coaching packages. Begin with a no-cost 30-minute consultation to discuss where you are with your business and where you want to go.
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